Enhancing GWOPS Capabilities for Coordinated Multi-Telescope Detection of Gravitational Wave Electromagnetic Counterparts

Abstract

The groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves (GWs) has ushered in a new era of astronomical observation, granting us access to cosmic phenomena that are imperceptible to electromagnetic waves. The inherently weak GW signals coupled with the substantial uncertainties in source localization pose significant challenges to the field of astronomy. In this paper, we introduce innovative strategies to enhance the efficiency of observing electromagnetic counterparts to GW events, thereby unlocking further secrets of the cosmos. We present a novel technique for designing observation targets and establishing priorities, progressing from the epicenter to the periphery within the boundaries of the GW error sky region. This method has significantly reduced the average slewing distance of telescopes by 41% compared to traditional methods, thus enhancing observational efficiency. Additionally, we have developed a collaborative observation strategy for telescope networks, allocating observation targets based on the field-of-view (FOV) sizes of individual telescopes. This ensures comprehensive coverage without redundancy, allowing a network of four telescopes to cover a sky area and accumulate observation probability more than four times that of a single telescope operating independently over an equivalent period. Building upon these strategies, we have significantly upgraded GWOPS, the GW Follow-up Observation Planning System developed by the China-VO team, to provide precise observational planning for large FOV (greater than 1 square degree) telescope networks. The system also features a web-based user interface that presents the GW error sky area and observation planning results in a graphical format, significantly improving user interaction and experience. The research presented herein equips astronomers with a robust toolkit, advancing the efficiency of searching for and studying electromagnetic counterparts to GW events, and heralding new frontiers in the research of astrophysics and cosmology.